Motor construction



Dec. 4 1923.

J. D. NIES MOTOR CONSTRUCTION Filed April 18 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 4 1923.

Patented Dec. 4, 1923.

UNITED STATES y 1,476,412 PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN D. NIES, OF ST. CHARLES, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T KIMBLE ELECTRIC COMPANY,

OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

MOTOR CONSTRUCTION.

Application filed April 18, 1922. Serial No. 554713.

.To @ZZ whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN D. Nine, ay citi zen of the United States, residing at St. Charles, in the county of Kane and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Motor Construction, of which the following is aspeciiication.

This invention relates in a. general way tc electric motors, being concerned particularly with improvements in the rocker structures associated therewith.

The principal purpose of the invention resides in the provision, in a machine of the character described, of a novel rocker assembly of improved construction embodying, primarily, means for limiting the angular movement of the rocker between any two points, means for permitting a recording of these points when once determined for use in future adjustment or reassemblage of the machine, means for attaching the brush assembly, means for attaching a rocker arm at any point about the periphery of the rocker, and means cooperating with the frame of the machine for forming a guard closure for the commutator, brushes and associated parts. y

lhile the foregoing statement is indicative of the nature of the invention, other objects and advantages not herein specifically referred to will he appreciated upon a full comprehension of the novel features presented in the construction, arrangement and operation of the present rocker.

In order that the invention may be readily understood, two exemplifying embodiments of the same are set forth in the accompanying drawings and in, the following detailed description based thereon. Obviously the invention is susceptible of embodiment in other and varied constructional forms without departure from the essence of the invention or the sacrifice of its material advantages; wherefore it is to be understood that the drawings and description are to be takenin an illustrative and not in an unnecessarily limiting sense.

ln the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of that end of a motor to which this invention is applicable;

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1, illustrating the rocker assembly of this invention as viewed axially from within the `motor frame the commuta'tor being omitted for clearness in all of the views; f

Fig. 3 is av vertical longitudinal section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1;

.Fig 4 is a vertical transverse section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an end elevation illustratingr a slightly modified embodiment of the rocker assembly;

Fig. 6 is a vertical longitudinal section on the line 6 6 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 5 showing the location and operation of thestops in that embodiment. c

Referring now in detail to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. 1 to 4 thereof, it will be observed that the numeral 10 designates generally-the end bearing bracket of a motor. This bracket is provided-as is usual in motor constructions with an annular band portion 11 adapted for attachment to the main armature-housing frame, and with an integral yoke 12 in the horizontally disposed connecting portion 13 of which the adjacent end of the commutator shaft 14 is suitably iournalled by the introduction of a hearing sleeve 15. That portion of the yoke 12 in proximity to the bearing sleeve 15 is radially enlarged and is extended in both directions axially of the shaft 14 to provide eXteriorly of the bracket-an oil well 16, and interiorly of the bracket an integral hub 17 presenting, in concentric relation to the shaft 14, a cylindrical surface on which the rocker 18 of this invention is rotatably mounted.

The rocker 18 is preferably of annular forni and comprises a collar portion 19 from the outer cylindrical surface 20 of which a continuous integral iange 21 projects radially. The inner cylindrical surface 22 of the collar portion 19 fits snugly about the hub 17 The rocker 18 is adapted to rotate freely on the hub 17 but is prevented from axial movement, in one direction, by the medial enlargement of the connecting porn tion 13 and, in the other direction, by a centrally apertured disk 23 carried by the inner face of the hub 17. A corrugated spring washer 24 is preferably inserted between the rocker and the portion 13 of the yoke ofthe bracket for the purpose of bearing frictionally against the rocker to retain the same in any position into' which it is rotated.

A commutator brush assembly is adapted tor attachment to th'ecollar portion 19 ot the rocker through the'employment or' an insulator mounting block 26 character- 'Zed by a concave supporting surface 27 conforming with the curvature or the cylindrical surface 2O of the rocker. The arcuate mounting block 26, which is clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3, is provided with a shoulder 28 Vfor correctly locating the block axially with relation to the rocker, and is secured to theroclrer'by means ot' a single machine screw 29 which passes througha radially disposed aperture in the center oit vthe block` and screws into a screwethreaded aperture in the rocker. The mounting block is adapted to carry one or more spaced brushes 301 with their brush holders 3l' and spring regulators 32. It will be noted that Vthe brush holders 3l are adapted for adjustment toward or away from the commutator shaft as circumstances make such adjustment advisable.` While only one mounting block 26 is here shown it will be appreciated that a plurality otbloclrsot this general type and form of attachment may be spaced at intervals about the block-supporting surface ofthel roclrer.

A rocker arm 83 and two limiting stops ,34 and are adapted for attachment to the flange 2l or the rocker. F or this purpose the outer face oi the iiange 2ly is radially grooved at regular intervals, and is provided with a plurality of arcuate slots 36;V

the grooves being numbered at intervals of ten for instance to `provide a circular scale.

The rocker armr33 consists of a handle which is flattened and grooved at its centrally apertured attaching end 37 to conform to the grooving in the outer tace of the flange 2l. The rocker arm may be detachably secured to the flange 21 of the rocker at'any point in alignment with a portion of one ot' the slots 36 by the employment of a bolt 38 adapted to pass through both the slot and the aperture in the end of the handle, the interiitting grooves in the contacting surfaces of the rocker and handle serving to maintain the radial position of the rocker arm under lateral stress. The rocker arm is secured in a vertical position to the rocker when that angular position of' the rocker has been reached wherein the brushes carried by the same are in the neutral position ot their effective range of movement in either direction. The yadjustable nature of the connection between the rocker arm and rocker is of considerable importance in that slight variations in the location of this neutral position exist in almost all motor assemblies due to unavoidable variations in eld andbrush locations. The effective range of throw ofthe brushes in eitherv direction to give the full lforward or reverse speed of the motor is through an angle in either direction from the neutral position of from approximately Yforty ve degrees to seventy tive degrees, depending upon the type oit motor and other `factors. rlhe 'adjustable means tor limiting the throw of the brushes in either direction after the most eiiicient limits tor each particular motoil assembly have been determined by eX- periment are embodied in the previously mentioned limiting stops 34 and 35.

The liiniting stops Bt and consist ot' two boltsha long one and a short onewhich are adjustably secured to the flange y2l of the rocker by passing through certain of the arcuate slots 36 therein. Both of the stops project from the outer tace of the flange 2l. It will he noted in theembodiment ot this invention set forthl in Figs. l to 4t that the outer race oi` the flange 2l is spaced inwardly a. short distance from the inner face of the horizontal connecting portion 13 of the bearing bracket yolre. Accordingly, in the rotation ot the rocker the long stop 34 is adapted to abut against the upper edge of the yoke portion 13 to limit the rotation in one direction, and the short stop 35-which clears the inner tace oit' the portion ilhis adapted to abut against one ol two lugs 39 which project inwardly from the lower edge ot the yoke portion 13 in the path ot the short stop to limit the rotation in the opposite direction. ln motors used tor running in both directions one oit the stops may be employed to limity the rocker movement in the reverse direction, and the other to limit the rocker movement in the forward direction; and in motors used for ruiming in only one direction, one of the stops may be employed to limit the rocker movement at the neut position, and the other to limit the rocher move'- ment in the forward direction. rlhe employment ot long and short stop bolts is advisable in roclrer construetions having anV even number of slots in order to permit a limitation ot the rocker movement at any point withinrthe effective range of throw of the brushes.

It will be noted that the flange 2i ol3 the rocker provides, in etliect. an end closure 'tor the mechanism contained within the open bearing bracket l0. ln order to house com4 pletely this mechanism at the open upper and lower apertures i. the bracket, inwardly spring pressed doors 40. which are pivotally mounted on studs l?. carried by the band portion il oit the bi c at the top and bottom thcreoi'. coopcfate with the sides of the yoke l2 and baud portion ll and with the periphery et the fla ige 2l 01' the rocker to term.Y with the roch and the bearing bracket, complete housing, By this construction a i the rocker arm--which.v t germs oi housedyroclrer construction heretofore ren c 'ni fill commonly employed must project through an elongated slot in the casing-extends clear of the casing,r Without in any manner :interfering With an efficient housing of the mechanism contained therein.

The purpose of the scale provided on the outer face of the rocker flange 2i is to permit a` recordim,r of the points where the rocher arm and limiting stops should be located on that particular motor when these ijioints have once been determined by test in order that such data may be available in future adjustment or reassemblaire of the iotor without again determiningr by experiment the proper point-s of. location for the roel/:er arm and stops.

The modified embodiment of the invention iilustrated in Figs. 5 to 7 differs from the embodiment hereinbefore dscribed in that lenig and short stops are dispensed with and only short stops 42 used. In order to permit of this and still provide limits to the rotation of the rocker at any tivo points Within the effective range of throw of the brushes, an odd number of slots t3-prefer ably nine-are provided in the flange 21. of the rocher. The only material` changes in the construction of this second embodimentof the invention over the first are at` once evident from ak coniparison of Figs. G and El. ,vt Wiil he seen in Fig'. 6 that the outer face of the flange 2l substantially flush Witi the inner face of the connecting volte 13 of f the bearing bracket, and that both of the sistops l2 are adapted to abut against the edges of the portion 13 but on opposite sides of its central bearing portion. The provision of an odd number of slots permits a stop to be located in oney of the slots Where it will abut against the yoke and limit the rotation of the rocker at any point within the effective range of throw of the brushes. since. if that particular point occurs when the sifwacingV web between two slots in the rocher is approaching or is in direct align meat with an edge of the yoke and a stop holt cannot accordingly be located therein, the stop bolt can instead be located in the vailable slot positioned diametrically across the rocher from the Web referred to. la Fic'. 'T is shown the arrangement of the i'oclcr arm and the stops when the rocker is in its full reverse position. The dotted line locations of the rocker arm and the stops indicate the same rocker in full forward position.

illhiie this invention has been referred to thromrhout the specification as applicable for association primarily with an electric motor, it is to be understood that the inven tion is equally as applicable for association with an electric dynamo.

I claim:

1. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a frame and a commutator shaft, of a rocker rotatable about the axis of the shaft, a commutator brush assembly asso iated with the rocker, an arm detachably connected to the rocher, and means asscciated with the rocker to limit its rotation in one direction at any point within the effective range of movement of the brush about. the Lfnaft.

2. ln a machine of the character dcscribed, the combination with a frame and a commute-tor shaft, of a rocker rotatable about the axis of the shaft, a con'unutator brush assembly associated with thc rocker, an arm dctachalilj; connected to the rocker at any one of a. piurality of points. and mea-ns associated with the rocher limit its rotation in one directi n., at any point Within the effective range of movement of the brush about the shaft.

3. In a machine of the character described, the combinationY with a frame and a commutator shaft. of a r'clcr rotatable about the axis of the shaft, a commutator brush assembly associated with the rocher, an arm connected to the rocker, and means associated with the rocker to lim...y its rotation in one direction at any poiniA -.vithin the effective range of movement of the brush about the shaft, said means being' relcasable and movable angularly to effect a vaif .tion in the limit of rotation.

4i. In a machine of the character described, the combination with a. frame and a commutator shaft, of a rocher rotatable about the axis of the shaft. a commutator brush assembly associated with the rocker. an arm connected to the rock-sr. and associated with the rocher and {go-acting with the frame to limit the rotation of the rocker in both directions at any points Within the effective range of movement of the brush about the shaft. said means being); detachablc and movable angularly to effect variations in lhelimits of rotation.

ln a machine of the charatter described, thc. combination with a fn '1e and commutator shaft. of rocher rotatable about the axis of the shaft and provided with a curved surface, a commuta'tor brush assembly having a mounting block curved on its base for attachment against the curved surface of "he rocher, and means engagreable with the mountingblocl( 'for attaching the same to the rocker.

(i. In a machine of the character described the combination with a frame and a commutator shaft. of a rocher rotatable about the asis of the shaft and provided with a convex surface substantiallr concen tric With the said axis, a commutator brush assembly having a mounting block concave on its base for attachment against the con-- Vex surface of the rocker, and means engageable with the mountingblock intermediate its ends tor attaching' the same to the rocker.

7. ln a machine ot the character described, the combination with a trame and a commutator shalt, ot a rocker rotatable about the exis ot the shaitt and providerF with a convex surface substantially concentric with the said axis, a commutator brush :assembly havink, a mounting;` block concave ou its base for attachment against the convex surface ot theV rocher, and means engage able vivi 'h the n'iountiug' bloeit intermediate its en tor attaclLing),l the same to the rocher, said means consisting et a connectingv niember which projects trom the convex surface oit the rocker and engages with the blocl 8. ln a machine ot the lcharac-ter described, the coi'nbination Witi a trame and a commutator shaft, ot a rocker rotatable aboutthe axis ot the shaft and provided With a convex sui-tace substantially concentric with the said axis, a commutator brush assembly having a inountine1 bloclr concave on its base tor attachment against the convex surface ot' the rocher, and means engageable with the mounting block intermediate its ends tor attaching; the saine to the rocher, said means consisting ol" a single machine screw which projects trom the convex surface ot the rocher through the bloclr into engagement With the same.

9. ln a machine of the character described, the combination with a trame and a commutator shaft, of a Vrocker rotatable about the axis oit the shatt and provided With a portion having a. surface substantially at right angles to the said axis, an arm detachalflT enpageable with said portion at any one of a plurality of points angularly thereof, and a scale on said surface tor permittinga recording' ot the point at which the arm is attached to the rocker.

1.0.ln a machine ot the character described, the combination with a trame and a commutator sha'tt, ct a rocker rotatable about the axis the shaiit and provided With a portion han/ing` surface substantially at right angles to the said axis, limiting stops detachably engageable with said portion at any one oil a plurality ot points anguiarly tl'iereo'i, and a scale on said surface for permitting a recorilinf;l oit the points at which the stops are attached to the rocler.

ll. ln a machine ot'the character de-v scribed, the combination with trame and a cominutator shaft, ol2 a roelrer rotatable about the axis oit the shattand provided with a portion having` a plurality oli slots therein, an arm1 and attaching,` means pas@- ing through one of the slots and engageable with the arm to locate adjustably the latter angularly ot the rocker.

12. ln a machine oi the character described, tlle combination With a frame and nascere a cominutator shaft, ot a rocker rotatable about the axis of the shatt and provided with a portion having a plurality ot' slots therein, a stop co-acting with the lrame to limit the rotation oia the rocker in one direction, and attaching means passing through one ot the slots to locate adjustably the stop angularly ot the rocker.

lin a machine ot' the character descri ce, the combination with a trame and a commutal'or shaft, ci a rocher rotatable about the axis of the sha'tt and lprovided With a portion havinga plurality of elongateifl arcuate. slots therein, stops co-acting with the lriinc to limit the `rotation ot the rocker in either direction, and attaching means passing through one or more ot the slots to locate adjustably tac stops angularly ot the ro'eler.

la. ln aV machine ot the character described, the combination with a tubular housing openV at one end and a commutator shaft, ot a rocker rotatable about the axis ol2 the shaft and provided inY substantially the plane ot the open end ot the housingwith a iveb portion which extents radially in all directions to the encompassing edge of the housing' whereby to constitute an end closure for the mechanism within the housing.

l5. ln a machine ot the character described, the combination Witha frame havan annular portion and a diametrically disposed bearing bracket portion extending from the annular portion in axially spaced relation thereto, and a coininutator shaft, ot movable closure means associated with the trame in the circumferential openings exist-A ing in the space between the diametrically disposed portion ot the bracket portion and the annular' portion oit the frame whereby to constitutie With the trame and the closure means a tubular housing open at one end, and a roclcer rotatable about the axis oit' the shatt and provided in substantially the plane ot the open end o' the housing with a web portion Which extends radially in all directions to the encompassing edge ot the housing;- Whereby to constitute an end closure for the housing.

1G. ln a machine of.' the character described, the combination With an open trame and a commutator shaft, ot a rocker rotat-V able about the axis ot the shatt and provided with a portion extendingu radially in all directionsk to constitute an end closure for the mechanism contained Within the frame, and doors carried by the frame and disposed in the openings in the peripheral contour thereof to constitute complementarily with the trame a peripheral closure tor the mechanism contained Within the frame.

ln testimony whereof l have hereunto JOHN D. NUES.

signed my name. 

